Pre/Peri/Post Op

Question 1

What are the differences between alcohol, iodine and Chlorhexidine prep?

Answer 1

Alcohol:
- rapidly effective against gram -ve and +ve and has some antiviral activity
- relatively inactive against spores, fungi
- works by denaturing proteins

Iodine:
- Broad spectrum against bacteria, spores, fungi and some virus
- bactericidal
- inactivated by organic matter (bloods, faeces, pus)
- stains may be irritating to the skin

Chlorhex:
- buiguinide
- bacteriocidal (causes cell wall disruption)
- more effective against gram +ve, moderate against gram -ve
- less effective against pseudomonas and spores, fungi and virus
- carries risk of fire with diathermy

Question 2

What’s the difference between disinfection and sterilisation?

Answer 2

Disinfection= reduced the number of viable organisms (may not get rid of all bacterial spores and viruses)

Sterilisation = complete destruction of all viable microorganisms including spores, cysts and viruses

Question 3

What are some methods of sterilisation?

Answer 3

1. Heat (autoclave, dry heat)
2. Radiation
3. Filtration
4. Chemical (formaldehyde, ethylene oxide)

Question 4

What are the benefits of acute inflammation?

Answer 4

The formation of cellular exudate causes:
- dilution of toxins
- delivery of antibodies/ immunoglobulins
- delivery of coagulation factors and fibrin formation
- delivery of o2 and nutrients
- stimulation of immune response